Security

Euro NCAP Best in Class 2025: here are the safest cars. Mercedes CLA overall winner

Euro NCAP revealed the best cars of the year just ended

by Danilo Loda

14 January 2026

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

2025 was a busy year for Euro NCAP, which put dozens of new models through their paces with its rigorous safety tests. And now, on the threshold of 2026 - come the 'Best in Class 2025', the cars that have emerged as the absolute safest in their respective categories.

The most coveted title, 'Best Performer of 2025', went to the Mercedes-Benz CLA, also votedCar of the Year The "Car Of Year 2025, which also triumphed in the 'Small Family Car' category. The German sedan impressed the experts with its excellent protection of adult occupants (94 per cent) and the level of safety offered to vulnerable road users, with a score of 93 per cent. In short: a near-perfect combination of structural strength and driver assistance technology. This model continues a trend that began in 2019, when the previous-generation CLA won the Best in Class award in the same category.

In the urban segment, the Mini Cooper E proved that even compact cars can excel in terms of safety. With an electric and modern design, it achieved outstanding results in crash tests and won the title of 'Best City & Supermini'.

Among the big players, Tesla's electric cars could not be missing. The recently updated Model 3 remains among the safest cars on the market, with excellent performance in all assessment areas and a score of 93 per cent in child protection. Also striking is the continuous improvement in driver assistance systems, which earned it a remarkable 87 per cent in the 'Safety Assist' category.

But the Californian manufacturer doesn't stop there: the Model Y, which will be updated in 2025, won the title of Best Small SUV, with top marks for both safety for small children (93%) and driver assistance devices (92%).

Also positively surprising is the Smart #5, which with its larger structure compared to the brand's traditional models has lost nothing in terms of safety. The five Euro NCAP stars and an excellent 92 per cent in Safety Assist show that the brand's evolution into larger segments has taken place in the name of robustness and protection.

Finally, among the high-end cars, the Polestar 3 won the Best Executive Car category. The Swedish electric SUV stood out for child protection (93 per cent) and a state-of-the-art driver assistance technology package, confirming the brand's safety and sustainability-oriented philosophy.

Looking at the overall results, a clear picture emerges: automotive safety is experiencing a golden age. Car manufacturers are increasingly investing in prevention and protection technologies, and the average level of cars tested in 2025 was among the highest ever.